I am a Vietnam ERA veteran. I was drafted into the Marine Corps March 20, 1969. My MOS was an Amtrac Crew Chief. I served in the Philippines, Taiwan, and Okinawa. I achieved the rank of Corporal (E-4) in just 13 months. The last 6 months of my tour in Okinawa I was an instructor in Counter Guerilla Warfare in the Northern Training Area.
After rotating back from overseas I left the Corps in October 1970 on early release. I attended Eastfield community college from 1971 -1974, then started in 1975 attending The University of Texas at Dallas while working at Texas Instruments. I graduated in June 1978 with a BS in Marketing.
The last 38 years of my career was as a Regional Manager for Sanyo / Panasonic and then Gold Peak Industries. These are “rechargeable battery manufacturers. I was responsible for developing Compaq / HP Computer, Dell Computer, Nokia, and Philips Emergency Lighting.
My passion today is in working with North Texas Wreaths of Honor. to raise donations for “balsam wreaths” that we will lay on our veteran’s graves at the DFW National Cemetery every December. And it is my way of giving back to our veterans.
USMC | Retired
Major General James Williams served his country in the military for 38 years; he retired 1 August 2010. He has commanded Marines at every level in and out of combat.
He was last assigned as the Commanding General, 4th Marine Division from April 2007 to April 2010. He is a certified Force Reconnaissance Special Operations Marine, which includes specialized training in counter-terrorism operations, combat martial arts, mountaineering, military combat scuba diving, long range amphibious operations, submarine special operations, special weapons and tools training, cross training with Army Rangers, Army Special Forces, Navy SEALS, Air Force Special Operations, and Allied Special Operations Units, and military freefall skydiving operations (HALO/HAHO).
Previous positions held were as the Assistant Division Commander, 2nd Marine Division; Deputy Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command; Assistant Division Commander, 2d Marine Division, in combat operations at Camp Blue Diamond, Ar-Ramadi, Iraq; Deputy Commanding General, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in Fallujah, Iraq; Deputy Director of Operations CJTF-180, conducting combat operations in Afghanistan. He also served on the Secretary of Defense’s Reserve Force Policy Board from 2007-2010.
Adjunct Clinical Professor of Law | Criminal Clinic
Professor Mike McCollum is a 1962 graduate of Kimball HS in Dallas and matriculated at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas. Upon graduation from the University of Texas School of Law with a LLB in June 1968, he was commissioned a 2/Lt in the United States Marine Corps and served successive tours in Southeast Asia as a SJA Defense Counsel and as an Aerial
Observer.
Upon his release from active duty in June 1971, Professor McCollum returned to Dallas and simultaneously worked as a member of the 1972-75 Associate Faculty of the Caruth Institute of Owner Managed Business at SMU Cox School of Business from 72 through 75, and as an Assistant District Attorney in both the Appellate and Prosecution Divisions of Dallas County District Attorney’s Office under the legendary Henry Wade.
Mike began the general practice of law Dallas in June 1975. He was hired by the SMU (now Dedman) School of Law as a part time instructor in August 1977 and has served continuously in the criminal clinic to this day.
Attorney | Veteran Advocate | Gold Star Spouse
Sara Compton is an attorney, Veteran advocate, and Gold Star spouse, who encourages open and honest conversation about mental health.
Originally from California, Sara obtained a B.A. in Writing from University of California, San Diego and then a J.D. from University of San Diego School of Law in 2010. She now works as General Counsel for One Tribe Foundation, a DFW-based nonprofit that provides traditional and non-traditional mental health services to Veterans, First Responders, and their families.
Before joining One Tribe Foundation, Sara worked as a private practice attorney, specializing in corporate litigation, transactional law, criminal defense, and interpreting public administration law, policy, and procedure, including local, county and state government.
Sara has a long history of volunteer service throughout her legal career, including participation in San Diego Volunteer Lawyer’s Program, Volunteer Small Claims Mediation Services, and pro-bono attorney services to military non-profit organizations and active-duty personnel and Veterans, including custody litigation, contract preparation and review, assistance with merger process, resolution of landlord/tenant disputes, family law services, and criminal defense services.
Through her work at One Tribe Foundation, Sara fights to end the stigma associated with post-traumatic stress and suicide in honor
Grand Daughter of Marine Corps Commandant | General Alexander Vandegrift
Stephanie Vandegrift’s relationship with veterans started at birth in Quantico, Virginia, as she was born the third daughter of Marine Colonel A.A. Vandegrift, Jr. (Iwo Jima) and third granddaughter of General A.A. Vandegrift Sr. (Guadalcanal) 18th Commandant. Being a Marine’s daughter, she grew up moving around the country and was also stationed on Guam on the cliff.
Stephanie graduated from Hollins University with a degree in Economics and Studio Art. Her corporate life began in Wichita Falls, Texas at Coca-Cola USA where she specialized in sales, marketing, and management. She was the first female hired in the southwest region as a territory sales manager for Coca-Cola. She was quickly promoted to senior district manager and was one of only two females out of 44 district managers.
She joined AC Nielsen and worked in client relationships, market research, account management, and sales. Her clients included Dr. Pepper, IBC Rootbeer, Eveready Battery, Tyson’s, and Eagle Snacks.
Stephanie then worked at Price Waterhouse in sales, where she called on retailers to promote management horizons. She then founded The Cookie Company in Dallas, which she owned and operated for 18 years. Stephanie and The Cookie Company were featured in Fortune Magazine. After she sold The Cookie Company in 2015, Stephanie worked as a financial advisor for New York Life.
Chairman
Colonel Richard C. Kaniss was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps on June 2, 1976, upon graduation from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He also earned a master’s in business administration degree from the University of Colorado.
He is the Chairman for the Our Community Salutes DFW Inc. That organization is a national, non-profit organization helping communities recognize, honor, and support high school seniors who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation.
He is also the Past President for the Association of United States Army’s (AUSA) North Texas – Audie Murphy chapter. The chapter earned “Best Chapter” from the National AUSA convention during his time as chapter president and again in 2023.
President/CEO | PremiumScapes Consulting, LLC
Upon graduating from Plano Senior High in 1987, Stephen enrolled at the University of North Texas where he studied Business Management from 1987 – 91 and served as an officer in his fraternity.
His successful career path has left him with over 25 years experience in new business development, playing a key role in the growth of multiple successful small businesses. These include Information & Technology Solutions, Financial Services, Online Marketing / SEO companies, and in his early years outdoor service-related businesses.
While working in the technology field he gained valuable knowledge regarding the importance of technology and how it can be used as a tool to streamline and grow an organization. As a Sales & Project Manager he orchestrated the development and implementation of several organizations’ IT, websites, and communications infrastructure.
In 2014 he founded PremiumScapes Consulting, a 5 Star Rated marketing company. His digital marketing agency was Voted One of The Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Frisco Texas from 2021 – 24 and in the Recommended Top 7 of Best Web Developers in McKinney in 2024.
Your contribution matters. Please say “thank you for your service” by donating today.
Join NowREMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom.
What does it mean to sponsor a wreath? Your sponsorship will support the new and existing programs developed to share the mission. SPONSOR WREATHS
Dallas – Wreaths Across AmericaSince the founding of the Military Order, thousands of Officers and Hereditary Companions have joined rank to work with Police Departments, Firefighter Departments, Youth Leadership Conferences, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, ROTC units and assist Veterans transition into civilian life.
Dallas Chapter of MOWWThe mission of 1 Tribe is to create a community that raises awareness and combats suicide by empowering veterans, first responders, medical frontline workers and their families through traditional and non-traditional therapies.
One Tribe FoundationRoll Call provides a regular venue for fellowship and camaraderie, provide outreach and home visitation services, and share the stories of our local veterans through community engagement and publication.
Roll CallOperation Tiny House raises funds for tiny houses with community partners and supporters. Together we help veterans secure housing and employment to improve their lives.
Operation Tiny House